I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

[clarkd0778]

My grandpa just gave me my first boat! It's just over 16 feet. Right now, it has a 25 horsepower outboard with a 4 horse kicker on it. My grandpa told me sometime ago that if a person puts two engines of the same horsepower on a boat it increases the rate of acceleration but not the total horsepower. I'm not sure if this is true or not. If I put two 25 horsepower motors would it be the same as having one 50 horsepower(besides the obvious difference of having two engines)?

Also, right now the boat is controlled by tiller from the rear. I would like to have two engines and steer them from a center console. What do I need to set up steering to two engines from a center console? I know that if i just get a steering kit this will only work for 1 engine. Is there some special part like a steering arm I need? Do I need something to connect the outboards to the steering kit?
Tell me what you think,
Dan

 

[Willyclay]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Dan, welcome to the forum! The forum experts, which I am NOT, can help you with any boating problem. Some members might tell you there is no such thing as a free boat because a boat is just another place to spend your money. As far as your Grandpa's theory about total horsepower with dual engines, I would not question him. However, I would expect most boats to be faster with a single engine of equivalent horspower due to less weight and lower unit drag. In response to your question about rigging the steering for dual outboards, here's a link to an instruction manual by Teleflex about how to do it:

http://www.downloadingfiles.co.uk/teleflexfiles/library/instructionmanuals/IS-7602.PDF

Hope you enjoy that first boat as much as I did mine. Good luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Unless you have a fear of being stranded because the 25 HP engine quite, there is no need for the small motor as the 25 will just as well as the 4 HP. As for the twin engine theory -- dual engines are used on many offshore boats because of the backup and the need two engines to get the high horsepower some of those boats need. 300, 400, 600 or even 900 with three 300's. Your boat will indeed be faster with a single 50 vs two 25's of equivalent displacement and a lot more trouble free. It will also burn less fuel.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Ah, yes, but those twin 2 cycles of any size sing a beautiful song. Believe me! If I could fit them, there would be twin engines on the back of my cuddy. ---Just for the sound!

Sometimes it is not where you go but how you get there that counts.

 

[steelespike]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Yes twins are cool but twice the weight,(of a the 25)twice the maintenance,twice the complication,twice the fuel.A single 50 would be faster and do it on less fuel.While it sounds like you have a reasonable sized boat keep in mind any added weight takes away from your capacity.
Adding a remote steering console and its parts takes up space,adds weight complication and maintainance.Remote stick steering does take up less space but still has the other problems.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Welcome aboard Dan.

For absolutely ALL of your questions, this is the site to be on. There are many many many members here who have a library full of experience and guidance. I have been doing my first boat rebuild since last November and I consult all of the posts herein on every phase I tackle. Good luck with your first boat and be patient. Everything will happen in due time.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Dan,

You are very fortunate to have your grandpa's boat!

Ok, I'll ask the questions -

What kind of boat is it - make, model, and horsepower rating?

What is the seating arrangement on the boat?
Is there a console for steering and acceleration controls?

And, what do you hope to achieve with 50hp over 25hp?

I hope you don't think that I"m badgering you, because nobody can
really answer your questions without knowing the answers to the
questions above.

Good luck, and enjoy your boat! Learn about boating, starting here
on this web site!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I was just given my first boat and have some questions!

Twin motors = twice the maintenance and twice the potential headaches. Single motor with a reliable kicker in my book for that set up.
Just my 2 cents though.